Archive for September, 2009
Windows 7: An Excuse To Party?
At first, I thought the entire premise of a Windows 7 Launch Party was some sort of Onion joke. While I’m still trying to get over the upcoming Microsoft retail stores (aiming to compete with the Apple Store), and their suspiciously named “Guru Bar” (obviously to mimic Apple’s Genius Bar), such is the standard bad Apple-copying on the part of Microsoft that is both legendary and never-ending. It’s good amusement to watch this competition for hipness — from anyone, really. But, the call to current and potential Microsoft customers to throw soirées around the planet for the sole purpose of collectively celebrating the launch of an operating system? What is it the kids say these days? Oh, yeah… “REALLY? Really.”
The above video painfully attempts to make the whole to-do seem cool or, at the very least, accessible to the groups represented herein. We have the token black man, the soccer mom, the elderly woman, and the hipster nerd. Naturally, these four people would be friends and voluntarily share social space. You buy it, right? The brother and the tech nerd? BFFs for sure!
Just think: This utterly saccharine video failure was greenlit, financed, approved, and actually made it out into the world. Incredible. And we wonder why many college kids can’t even spell.
But, oh, the poor nerd. He LOVES to upload “pictures.” And we all know what kind they mean. Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk. They even fuck with him a little. Okay, maybe more than a little. The only reason he’s probably invited is so they won’t have to stare at a computer blue screen with nothing going on all night. Oh, well, more mojitos for Gladys, Tipper, and Dwayne.
The acting is terribly forced in an uphill struggle to come off as being “with it.” Something like if I showed up at a teenage beer bash in full emo gear. Funny, right? Of course it is, because I’m a 41 year old man and I’m deservedly out of place. But it wouldn’t be half as hammy as this video. Nor as regimented. I smell a mandatory Twister game at 8:47 pm. Then Tipper can get her “freak on” with Dwayne. Because we all see the looks she giving him.
To need these detailed instructions on how to have a party — evidently, a problem for many — and then toss in the whole Windows thing is, at best, laughable. Even if I were to be someone who preferred Windows to the Mac OS, I’d still, like many, never be actually excited — particularly THIS excited — about the software. To this day, I’ve still never met anyone who was totally psyched (outside of frustration fueled by the previous Windows iteration) about Microsoft’s infamous operating system. They’re probably out there, but are they really prepared to put on funny hats, get tanked, and shout, “Windows ROOLS!” like a rowdy frat boy? If so, just keep it out of my neighborhood. Weirdo.
As an aside: Note the bad post-production audio dub-in at 1:01. Hoolarious!
So, prepare yourselves, people! Be a part of the worldwide party event of the century by helping to usher in… a computer program. (Did some of you hate Vista THIS much?) Let that soak in before you start hiring the caterers or pawning off the kids on the neighbors for the night. Just try not to look as tech-clueless and socially inept as these folks.
Balloons! Fucking balloons, for crying out loud!
3 commentsGene Simmons: De Facto Satanist
Although not a card-carrying member of the Church of Satan, nor at any time an admitted Satanist, Mr. Simmons has exhibited enough qualities and conveyed them in enough interviews, video programs, and books (to name a few) that there is little argument against a de facto connection to our philosophy. It’s certainly no accident that he is quoted in Purging Talon’s second book (available here)! Even back in my teens in the ’80s, I knew all too well that Simmons’ personal philosophy gelled way too well with that of the world’s most feared religion. I did and still do have a profound admiration for the man, and the above posted video doesn’t detract me from that in the slightest. So, today and evermore, Diabologue would like to give a horned salute to the Demon himself. Hail Gene! (Given some language, the video might be NSFW.)
Storm Interview For 77:7 Project
Although the interview subject is legitimate, I have no knowledge on the credibility of this documentary project, so I can’t necessarily recommend it. The name of it is certainly suspect, or perhaps a simple-minded attempt at parody. For instance, what are the producer’s beliefs and where is he coming from regarding this work? What little documentation on this project is out there, it is typo-strewn and suggestive of an amateur production. Certainly, no press release in sight. That, and I still gain no clear thesis beyond it exploring “belief and subculture.” Again, pretty vague. But, check out the YouTube page of this and other interviews, and decide for yourself.
In any case, kudos to Storm. He might end up being the shining star (albeit, an inverted one) in this production. (h/t DBlackthorne)
4 commentsWhat’s MGP Into These Days
Besides your dreams? Well…
Currently prepping for the recording of episodes 5 and 6 of Terror Transmission. Most likely, #5 will be recorded Sunday and #6 later in the week. Regardless, it’ll be close for a 1 October posting for the former, which means I’ll have to edit every chance I get. Episode 6 should be okay for its 15 Oct release, and, yes, we will definitely be keeping in mind that wonderfully spooky holiday at month’s end. The movie we have picked for the last half of October is both appropriate and, perhaps, not quite predictable. Once it’s actually produced, I’ll do the usual hint-dropping on the Twitter feed.
Been playing a bit with iTunes 9, and it’s got some really decent features added to it. Finally, a reasonable way to move, add, and delete iPhone apps — from the iTunes end! Brilliant! Genius Mixes, though, are a little iffy. Purportedly, these groupings are to gather similar tracks from your library and play them much like a genre-specific radio station — as their own playlists. Sometimes, it doesn’t quite get the inclusions right. I believe Tom Jones has about as much to do with the Dracula soundtrack as does Sabbat with Rick Springfield. And I even have my gigantic digital music collection meticulously well-tagged. So until they work out the bugs, I suppose that the Brady Bunch will have to share play-space with the Star Wars soundtrack, and Of The Wand And The Moon with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kooky!
And, yes, the rumors are true. No, not the neo-Nazi one, but the one about me going back to school. I am enrolled once again, at my alma mater, earning yet another (but distinctly different) degree. Initial observations: 1) It’s “interesting” to be 23 years older than the other students. And by interesting, I mean awesome. The immaturity and naivete from some is blinding, and I couldn’t be happier to be the age I am. Someone tell me I wasn’t THAT obnoxious. 2) When you take school seriously (read: not as a party-happy 20-something metal band guy), it’s actually hard at times. You also notice that as a serious student, you are in the vast minority. Then again, mommy and daddy aren’t footing the bill for me. 3) I’m still mistaken as a professor… and now by other professors! Is it something I wore?
Outta time. Gotta go…
2 comments7/12/09 – Somewhere In Vermont – 9:32 pm
Previous to producing the first episode for Terror Transmission, Jason and I (well, admittedly, Jason’s pretty gal pal) shot off scads of pics! Yes, scads — most of which not on our Flickr page. Here is one. Oh, yes, and subscribe today via iTunes!
1 commentAll Work And No Play…
All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy. All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy.
Here, have a link.
1 commentRaiders of the Lost Ark… in 1951?
Yes, it’s a mash-up of many strangely familiar scenes from movies of yesteryear… the very same era in which Lucas and Spielberg spent their childhoods and, later, heavily culled for their Indiana Jones franchise. Always fun to revisit some of those “past orthodoxies.”
Chris & Daphne Get Hitched
Just taking a day to recognize two good pals, who got married on 9/9/9 (and met on 6/6/6, right in front of me during a mutual trip to Los Angeles, no less). Here’s to a couple of great people, ones I am proud to call friends. May they live long in the land.
Hail Chris! Hail Daphne!
1 comment
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